SEE IT: Steve Sarkisian and Co. roll out Lamborghinis in Austin amid recruiting camps
SEE IT: Steve Sarkisian and Co. roll out Lamborghinis in Austin amid recruiting camps Texas players have already inked promotional deals with Lamborghini Austin, with running back Bijan Robinson becoming the first to sign such a partnership in 2022.
The Texas Longhorns are making headlines again, not just for their play on the field but for their high-octane recruiting tactics. Over the weekend, the university showcased a fleet of Lamborghinis outside its football facilities as it hosted some of the nation's top high school prospects for official visits.
The luxury cars, parked in front of the Moncrief Athletics Center next to Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, were impossible to miss as blue-chip recruits arrived in Austin. The spectacle is part of an ongoing trend for Texas, which first rolled out the exotic cars during last year's recruiting cycle. This year's event featured around 14 to 15 top targets from the Class of 2026, including five-star running back Ezavier Crowell and Lamar Brown, as well as four-star edge rusher Jamarion Carlton, cornerback Davon Benjamin and four-star quarterback Kavian Bryant.
The display is more than just a photo opportunity. It's a visual reminder of the opportunities available to student-athletes in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era. Texas players have already inked promotional deals with Lamborghini Austin, with running back Bijan Robinson becoming the first to sign such a partnership in 2022. Since then, other Longhorns, including Jordan Whittington, Jake Majors, Michael Taaffe, and Isaiah Bond, have also driven Lamborghinis as part of NIL deals.
While the Lamborghinis have become a social media sensation, the move has drawn mixed reactions from fans and commentators. Some see it as a bold and effective marketing strategy, while others criticize it as a flashy distraction from the fundamentals of college football. Either way, it sticks out to recruits, come to Texas and Texas One Fund connections could net you an NIL deal with Lamborghini of Austin.
As Texas prepares for its second season in the SEC, head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are making it clear that the Longhorns are willing to leverage every advantage to attract elite talent. Whether the Lamborghinis ultimately translate to wins on the field remains to be seen, but for now, Texas is sending a message to recruits and rivals alike: the Longhorns are back, and they're not afraid to make a statement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Minjee Lee wins third major at KPMG Women's PGA and is now halfway to LPGA Hall of Fame
FRISCO, Texas – Clara Lee couldn't watch. After daughter Minjee made three bogeys in the first six holes, the former teaching pro couldn't help but think back to last year's U.S. Women's Open, where Minjee held a three-stroke lead on the back nine at Lancaster Country Club, only to collapse into a share of ninth. Clara tried to stay positive, but when Minjee got on the greens, mom walked away and texted a friend to get the results. 'Just watching her, I'm 10 years older this week,' joked Clara as Minjee hoisted her third major championship trophy at the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Advertisement Fields Ranch East course, the new Home of the PGA of America and a staple in the big-event lineup for years to come, provided a merciless test to the best women in the world. Behind her shades, 29-year-old Lee looked chill in the suffocating Texas heat, but as she battled unrelenting winds on a vast, Texas plain, she wanted the world to know that all was not as it appeared. 'I just want to be clear,' said Lee. 'I definitely was nervous starting the day. I wasn't really sure if it was the heat that was making my heart beat more … I looked calm, but I was not as calm as everybody thinks.' Winless since the fall of 2023, Lee's resurgence of late can be traced back to one club: the longer putter. She put it in play at the start of the season at the urging of longtime coach Ritchie Smith. Lee's strokes gained putting rank in 2024 was a dismal 137th. She ranked fifth on tour this season coming into the week, and finished first in the field at PGA Frisco. Minjee Lee reacts on the 18th green after winning the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship. 'Just changing to the broomstick has given me a lot more freedom, I think,' she said. 'I was just – I guess I just had a lot of thoughts, and just I was overthinking probably about just the conventional way of putting. Advertisement 'I think just taking my hands a little more out of it and using the broomstick has really been helping me.' An 8-foot par putt on the 13th, followed by birdies on Nos. 14 and 15 put Lee squarely in command down the stretch. She held a three-stroke lead over Auston Kim (71) and Chanettee Wannasaen (71) coming into the 72nd hole, where a host of players and caddies made their way to the back of the green with bottles of champagne. 'She's the longest friend I've had,' said Lydia Ko, 'so it's really special for me to be here for her win. 'I saw a stat that she didn't three-putt at all. That's crazy because I was doing a lot of that.' Lee becomes only the third Aussie to win three different majors, joining mentor Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson. With victories at the 2022 U.S. Women's Open and 2021 Evian Championship, Lee is now one of five active players on the LPGA with three legs of the career grand slam, joined by Anna Nordqvist, In Gee Chun, Yani Tseng and Ko. Advertisement While she called the career grand slam her 'ultimate goal,' the LPGA Hall of Fame is what she dreamed of as a kid. 'That's why I wanted to be on the LPGA Tour,' said Lee, 'to, you know, win a bunch of tournaments and try to get into it. 'Seeing Lydia do it, I think I would really like to get there. We'll see how we go after this week.' For the record, Lee now has 14 of the 27 required to qualify. Lee's caddie, Michael Paterson, is new to her team this year and, fittingly, was on the bag for four of Karrie Webb's major wins. Paterson said smart golf got them into the winner's circle at 4-under 284. That, and Lee's ability to move on from the bad in as little as half a hole. Only three players finished the KPMG Women's PGA under par, the fewest number at this championship since 2003. Advertisement American stars Nelly Korda (T-19) and Lexi Thompson (T-12) played in the penultimate group and shot 76. World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul began the day four strokes behind Lee in solo second but finished in a share of fourth after a closing 75. Paterson praised his boss's attitude in the toughest scoring conditions of the year. 'The way she can just brush off a little bit of adversity and keep her chin up,' said Paterson, 'it's unbelievable.' Minjee Lee poses with the trophy after winning the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Lee's brother Min Woo left a message for big sis, telling her he was proud. He tried calling but she was too busy accepting the trophy so he chatted with mom. Though Lee is a resident of the Dallas area, her house was too far away from PGA Frisco to commute, so she stayed with friends in the area. Clara cooked for her every night and made omelets for the morning. She went to Costco to buy all the fruit, slicing up the kiwi and watermelon. Advertisement When Minjee won the U.S. Women's Open at Pine Needles, Clara was on a plane headed to South Korea. This marked the first major championship victory she was able to see in person. 'It was awesome, but I'm exhausted,' she said with a big smile. For Lee, this major hit different. This one, she felt like she deserved. 'I think it's very different, because I feel like I had a lot of doubt the past few years,' she said. 'Not with my long game, but more with my putting. 'I think the more I heard media and other people saying things about my putting, I think it got to me more and more over time. 'Yeah, I think this one just means a little bit more to me. I mean, obviously U.S. Open is my absolute favorite, but in terms of my most deserved I think this one is the one.' This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Minjee Lee wins third LPGA major championship at KPMG Women's PGA
Fox News
21 minutes ago
- Fox News
USA tops Haiti to cap perfect Gold Cup group stage
The United States men's national team beat Haiti 2-1 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday to finish the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage with three wins from three games. Malik Tillman opened the scoring for the Americans early in the first half on Sunday. An error by U.S. keeper Matt Freese gifted the Haitians the equalizer just nine minutes later, but Patrick Agyemang put the hosts back in front with a quarter-hour left to play. "I think we showed a great fight today," Tillman told FOX Sports' Jenny Taft afterward. "We're happy to finish the group with three wins." The USMNT will play the loser of Sunday's nightcap between Mexico and Costa Rica in next weekend's quarterfinal. Here are three quick thoughts on Sunday's match. With the USMNT already qualified for the quarterfinals, coach Mauricio Pochettino made four changes to the starting lineup that beat Trinidad and Tobago and Saudi Arabia in the first two group stage games. The move didn't adversely impact the Americans' cohesion; they started on the front foot for the third straight game and went ahead on a well-worked attack finished by Tillman, who scored his third goal of the tournament off a pinpoint cross from Brenden Aaronson—one of the four new starters. Freese's gaffe disrupted that momentum and gave the physical visitors a spark, though that faded quickly as the match settled into a slog. Still, the U.S. caught a second wind in the second half; Tillman had two goals disallowed before Agyemang finally potted the winner off a beautiful pass by John Tolkin, who made his first start in place of Max Arfsten. Tillman continues to be the most productive and impressive American this summer, during which the German-born attacker is getting his first real run of playing time since joining the program three years ago. All three of Tillman's international goals have come in this Gold Cup. Off the field, the 23-year-old has also endeared himself to Pochettino and his staff, and the PSV man has taken full advantage of the opportunity presented by the absence of longtime first-choice wingers Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah, plus (dare we mention) Gio Reyna. The story of this summer has yet to be written for Tillman and his team, however. Now he has a chance to make an even bigger impression in the win-or-go-home contests to come. A tie would have been enough for the U.S. to top Group D, as the Saudis tied T&T on Saturday in a match played simultaneously. The Americans finished a perfect 3-0 in a Gold Cup group stage. But they could still face blood rival Mexico in next Sunday's quarterfinal. Even if El Tri tops the Costa Ricans later on Sunday, the Ticos would present the sternest challenge yet for Pochettino's squad. As promising as this Gold Cup has been for the U.S. so far, the real tests are still to come. Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports who has covered United States men's and women's national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him @ByDougMcIntyre.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kevin Durant Sends Strong Message After Surprising Trade to Rockets
Kevin Durant Sends Strong Message After Surprising Trade to Rockets originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The drama at Fanatics Fest in New York reached a fever pitch on Sunday afternoon when NBA superstar Kevin Durant was unexpectedly traded—right as he was on stage being interviewed by Taylor Rooks. The crowd erupted as the news broke in real time. Advertisement Durant, who had a brief stint with the Phoenix Suns, is now headed to the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster deal that sends Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and five second-round picks to Phoenix. Shortly after the trade, Durant was interviewed by Kay Adams at the event and addressed the situation directly, offering a strong message and making it clear that the move benefits everyone involved. 'Being part of the Houston Rockets, I'm looking forward to it,' Durant said. 'I had an idea, but I didn't know exactly when it was gonna happen... They wanted me to go, so glad they got what they wanted, I got what I wanted, so we can move on. Good luck to them going forward. I'll always remember my time there, but we're on to something else.' Now 36 years old, Kevin Durant remains one of the most effective offensive talents in the NBA. He joins a Houston Rockets team that's coming off an impressive season, finishing as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference before being eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. Advertisement Once the trade is officially finalized on July 6, Durant will have the opportunity to team up with Fred VanVleet, Alperen Şengün, and Amen Thompson—three key players who headline the Rockets' promising roster. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns forwardKevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports Last season, despite a disappointing year for the Suns, Durant still put up strong numbers, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. Related: Kevin Durant Reveals Which WNBA Teams He's Rooting For Without Hesitation This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
